California State University-San Bernardino vs. Cal State Long Beach

Comparable Facts

Compare California State University San Bernardino in San Bernardino, CA with California State University Long Beach in Long Beach, CA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

California State University Long Beach is larger than California State University-San Bernardino based on total student enrollment (42,003 students vs. 18,492 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• California State University San Bernardino is located in San Bernardino, CA (Midsize City setting); California State University Long Beach is in Long Beach, CA (Large City setting).
• California State University San Bernardino is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. California State University Long Beach is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California State University San Bernardino 22:1; California State University Long Beach 23:1.

California State University-San Bernardino vs. Cal State Long Beach Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, California State University-San Bernardino or Cal State Long Beach? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at California State University San Bernardino than Cal State Long Beach ($5,231 vs. $10,607).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at California State University San Bernardino are 3.9% lower than at California State University Long Beach ($15,002 vs. $15,612).
• California State University San Bernardino is 10.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Cal State Long Beach (about $743 more per year; $8,093.00 vs. $7,350.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 3.7% higher at California State University-San Bernardino than at California State University Long Beach (about $743 more per year; $20,693.00 vs. $19,950.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at California State University San Bernardino than at California State University Long Beach (89% vs. 76%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by California State University San Bernardino students is 3.2% larger than aid received by California State University Long Beach students ($12,167 vs. $11,795).

California State University-San Bernardino vs. Cal State Long Beach Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, California State University-San Bernardino or Cal State Long Beach? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Cal State Long Beach and California State University-San Bernardino.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at California State University Long Beach (1130) is 130 points higher than at California State University-San Bernardino (1000).
• Incoming Cal State Long Beach students have a 6 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 17 at California State University-San Bernardino).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California State University San Bernardino 910/1080; California State University Long Beach 1020/1240.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California State University San Bernardino 15/20; California State University Long Beach 20/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: California State University-San Bernardino - Test-free; Cal State Long Beach - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: California State University-San Bernardino Nov 30, 2026; Cal State Long Beach Nov 30, 2026.
• Accepted freshman Cal State Long Beach students have a 0.29 point higher average high school GPA (3.7) than students at California State University-San Bernardino (3.41).
• California State University-San Bernardino has a higher acceptance rate (93.7%) than Cal State Long Beach (46.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.3% at California State University-San Bernardino vs. 16.7% at Cal State Long Beach.

California State University-San Bernardino vs. Cal State Long Beach Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for California State University-San Bernardino and Cal State Long Beach? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• California State University Long Beach's six-year graduation rate (54%) is higher than California State University San Bernardino's (45%).
• Graduates from California State University Long Beach earn a median of about $4,300 more per year than California State University-San Bernardino graduates about ten years after starting college ($51,100 vs. $46,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, California State University Long Beach graduates have a $1,500 lower median loan debt than California State University-San Bernardino graduates ($15,000 vs. $16,500).
• Among borrowers, Cal State Long Beach graduates have an estimated $15 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than California State University-San Bernardino graduates ($155 vs. $170).
• More Cal State Long Beach graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former California State University-San Bernardino students, three years after graduation. (69% vs. 51%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.